Psycho (Signed) by BLOCH, Robert - 1959

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1959. First edition / First printing.. Hardcover.. A fine copy in a near fine dust jacket.. Octavo. In "Psycho," Robert Bloch takes the reader on a psychological journey through Norman Bates' disturbed mind via a snapshot of his escalating derangement at the Bates Motel. Set in six parts (Mary, Norman, Arbogast, Loomis and Lila, Dr. Steiner, and Norman), Bloch introduces characters and subsequently kills them off as the real mystery of Norman's life unfolds. Bloch originally set out to write a novel about what would happen if the "...'guy next door' wasn't who you thought he was..." and how neighbors and townspeople would react. Much like Capote's "In Cold Blood," the reader is taken by the hand through the crimes and provided seemingly 'real life' details in order to create a vision of the 'truth' as the narrator saw them. ~Bloch gained inspiration for his characterization of Norman Bates from notorious serial killer Ed Gein. The Gein murders occurred only 35 miles from Bloch's home in Wisconsin and set into motion an entire scenario of good, small town America gone terribly wrong. While he doesn't include the true crime accounts of the Gein murders, Bloch himself was 'surprised to discover how closely his imaginary character, Norman Bates, resembled the real Ed Gein.' ~From novel to film: Said to be 'one of the scariest films ever' by the American Film Institute's 100 Most Thrilling Films list, the Alfred Hitchcock (1960) version starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director (Hitchcock), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Leigh), Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. The 1998 remake by Gus Van Sant, starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche, had, understandably, a lot to live up to. ~SIGNED by the author, with the signature ending in a pool of blood. Pages browning as is usual with this title. A fine copy in a near fine, mildly rubbed dust jacket with a small chip at the upper front edge and shallow, and blended, dampstaining at the lower edge. ~An attractive copy of this classic novel, seldom found signed, particularly in such a unique way.